Use of Force

The use of force data accessible on this page represents preliminary figures for general public awareness and shows summary information only for cases generated by the Salt Lake City Police Department on which use of force is reported to have occurred. Whenever an Officer makes contact with citizens in the field and determines it necessary to control individuals through the use of mechanical restraints or physical force, the Officer completes a Use of Force Detail on the corresponding case documenting the effects of the force used. There is one detail per person per incident, however, on each person’s detail there may be multiple officers and/or weapons involved. Reports may contain multiple uses of force for multiple individuals and the presence of use of force data on a report does not necessarily mean an arrest was made.

The amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject.

REPORTING PERIOD:

Use of Force data will be published on a monthly basis.

DISCLAIMER:

The use of force data accessible on this page represents preliminary figures for general public awareness and shows summary information only for cases generated by the Salt Lake City Police Department on which use of force is reported to have occurred. These figures are not UCR, NIBRS, or crime rate numbers and are not intended to be used as official crime rate statistics.

ACCURACY:

Although every reasonable effort is made to verify accuracy, this data is subject to the constraints of the report generation process as well as the manner, format, point in time of any query, and the policy in force at the time.

LIABILITY:

The Salt Lake City Police Department accepts no liability for decisions made or not made by the public based on information herein.

DEPARTMENT POLICY:

A police officer will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will use only such force in the discharge of duty as is reasonable in all circumstances. It is imperative that officers act within the boundaries of legal guidelines, ethics, good judgment, and accepted practices whenever using force in the course of duty. Force should only be used with the greatest restraint and only after discussion, negotiation and persuasion have been found to be inappropriate or ineffective. While the use of force is occasionally unavoidable, every police officer will refrain from applying the unnecessary infliction of pain or suffering and will never engage in cruel, degrading or inhuman treatment of any person.

ABOUT USE OF FORCE DATA:

Whenever an Officer makes contact with citizens in the field and determines it necessary to control individuals through the use of mechanical restraints or physical force, the Officer completes a Use of Force Detail on the corresponding case documenting the effects of the force used. There is one detail per person per incident, however, on each person’s detail there may be multiple officers and/or weapons involved. Reports may contain multiple uses of force for multiple individuals and the presence of use of force data on a report does not necessarily mean an arrest was made.